APEC BEST Award

Launched in 2016, APEC BEST Award is the first contest for women-entrepreneurs across the APEC region. Taking into account that gender differences impact significantly on women’s employment in real sectors of the APEC economies and in organizational structures of enterprises where a priority is given to men, the task of creating and development of women’s business ideas and women-owned SMEs is important and prospective. Spreading the best practices of women-owned SMEs among APEC economies provides an opportunity to attract a larger number of women into SMEs founding, create new jobs in different industries, and support economic growth and development by applying promising business models based on domestic success stories. APEC BEST Award will provide an opportunity to internationalize women-run businesses, attract international partners and potential investors from the APEC economies as well as contribute to building a network among women-entrepreneurs, consultants, mentors and investors across the APEC region.